[ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, December 27, 2000] – American PolySteel has become the first insulating concrete wall system to pass the rigors of a 4-hour fire test without the addition of any wall coverings required to assist in its performance. Omega Point Laboratories, of Elmendorf Texas, has issued a preliminary report on the results of this groundbreaking test, which was conducted on PolySteel’s 6-inch waffle grid wall, in accordance with ASTM E-119, "Fire Resistance Tests of Building Construction and Materials," the construction industry standard. The results of this test will allow all PolySteel forms to be used in virtually any residential or commercial construction application where a 4-hour wall, or less, is required for the safety of its occupants. "This extraordinary performance demonstrates just another example of the safety and security a PolySteel structure can provide," says Patrick Murphy, President of American PolySteel. "Our previous two-hour fire test required the addition of 5/8" sheetrock on both sides of the wall, which created some limitations on the use of our product. We felt that we could far exceed this performance without the additional cladding and we felt that it was time we spent the money to verify it," added Murphy. "It proved to be well worth the investment."

The test was conducted by removing the EPS foam from one side of the PolySteel wall and exposing it directly to the lab’s fire resistance furnace for the required period of time, and then blasting it with a fire hose, all while the wall was placed under a load of 3,000 pounds per running foot. The wall was reinforced with the minimal placement of one vertical #4 rebar every 24 inches on center and one horizontal #4 rebar every 32 inches on center. While a typical wall configuration of a completed structure would incorporate some type of wall covering (gypsum wallboard, etc.) "The wall was tested in this configuration to allow the addition of any desired claddings on either side of the wall in a field application," according to Omega Point. "In other words, this was the most onerous and logical way to test the wall."

The EPS foam on the unexposed side of the wall remained intact throughout the test, with some separation occurring between the foam and the hot concrete. "What is fascinating to us is that our steel ties held the EPS together, further insulating the wall and providing added protection on the side unexposed to the flame," observed Jerry Coombs, P.E., Director of Engineering for American PolySteel. Coombs was on hand to observe the entire procedure. "Had the ties been made of plastic, all of the foam would have fallen off or melted away when the ties disintegrated."

Often cited as a potential thermal bridge, the PolySteel form ties and furring strips monitored by the lab’s thermo coupling devices never exceeded the temperature ceilings imposed by the test parameters, and remained structurally sound throughout the procedure. "Our customers repeatedly tell us that they choose our product for the safety and structural integrity inherent in our steel ties," Murphy added. "It is very rewarding to now provide them with some additional third-party verification that their faith is well-founded."

The full report from Omega Point Laboratories will be available in January.

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